Bolsonaro, get your hands off our colors!

For years, Brazil’s iconic flag and yellow national football shirt have become symbols that no longer solely represent the country itself. 

A wave of street protests in 2013, which began as demonstrations against public transport hikes, soon turned into expressions of general “dissatisfaction” — and the people used the Brazilian flag, national team jersey, and the anthem as their protest symbols.

This protest wave very quickly turned to the right, demanding the impeachment of then President Dilma Rousseff and the eradication of the center-left Workers’ Party.

In this milieu, far-right congressional backbencher Jair Bolsonaro emerged as the symbol of this nationwide movement, coining his soon-to-be iconic slogan: “Brazil above everything, God above everyone.”

At this juncture, the wearing of the Brazilian national team jersey or the use of the flag became a political and decidedly reactionary statement. Elected president, Mr. Bolsonaro promised that “Brazil’s flag would never be red” and continued the green-and-yellow branding throughout his government.

Now, with Mr. Bolsonaro defeated, Lula elected, and the 2022 World Cup just weeks away, there is a desire among the Brazilian population to dig out their yellow shirts and flags and rally behind their football team — without being seen as making a political statement.

The reclaiming of the yellow and green is a conscious movement among moderate and left-leaning circles. Lula himself has called on citizens to put on their Brazil shirts and cheer during the World Cup, hoping the country will pick up their sixth championship.

Brazil’s cities are expected to be awash with yellow and green for the coming weeks, with streets painted, windows decorated, and people sporting their football shirts wherever they go. And for the first time in years, it won’t be for Jair Bolsonaro — it will be for Brazil.

Read more

• How the right-wing seized Brazil’s national symbols

• #bolsonaro
• #protests